Page 128 - Lohgarh

128 w Lohgarh : The World’s Largest Fort

But, Muhammed Qasim Aurangabadi gives another account. He says
that after ‘capturing’ the Lohgarh Fort, the elder prince and Khan Khanan
sent a messenger to deliver a letter to the Emperor about their victory;
reading this the Emperor was elated and he made sajda (prostration to
God in the direction of the Kaaba at Mecca) to thank God for that victory.
But learning about the escape of Banda Singh, he began guessing as to
from which side he had escaped. In the meanwhile the prince and Khan
Khanan reached there and they narrated that Banda Singh had escaped
through the territory of the Nahan ruler. At this, the Emperor ordered
summoning of the ruler of Nahan in his court. Accordig to Muhammed
Qasim Aurangabadi, the Emperor did not become angry with Munaim
58
Khan (Khan Khanan). It is possible that Muhammed Qasim Aurangabadi
had soft corner for Khan Khanan.
Earlier, when the news of the entry of the royal forces into the Fort
had reached the Emperor, he had ordered beating of drums, and, all his
soldiers were dancing. But, when he came to know about the escape of
Banda Singh, he stopped all jubilations and became sorrowful. He was
not happy even at the capture of the Fort or the killings of the Sikh
soldiers whose number was about 1500. 59
When the Fort had been occupied by the royal forces, a very large
number of soldiers rushed towards it. Kamvar, who was present there,
reports:

“We deliberated and entered the Fort. We observed the looting by the
soldiers. Scoundrel and high-handed Afghan and Baloch soldiers were
scuffling with each other to snatch women and children as well as
valuables from each other. During their scuffle a spark fell on gun powder
lying there which resulted into the death of several persons; these included
the son of Sucha Nand of Sarhind and several Muslim men and women
who had been held captive by the Sikhs; their bodies were buried under
the debris (caused by the fire and explosion).” (The non-Italic text is mine-
Author).

Could Lohgarh Fort Be Capured ?

The capture of Lohgarh Fort, as narrated above is based on the writings